Howard Hankla Keesee

Notes:

Howard Hankla Keesee, 93, of Cookville, Texas, died Friday morning in the Lufkin Memorial Hospital. He was born in Norfolk, VA, to Oscar Stone and Hattie Estelle Whitehurst Keesee. Howard joined the U.S.Navy shortly before World War II, during the war he served on the USS John Rodgers (aka Jolly Rodger). He retired from the Navy in the late 1950's. Mr. Keesee was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, charter member of the Mt. Pleasant V.F.W. and loyal member of the USS John Rodgers Veterans Group.

He is survived by his son Howard Daniel Keesee of Georgetown, Texas, his daughter Kay Keesee of Pineland, Texas, grandchildren; Jeff BoBo, Harrison and Walker Keesee, and great grandchildren Ethan and Ashton BoBo. Mr. Keesee was preceded in death by his wife Opal Ferguson Keesee.

Visitation will begin at 11:00AM, Monday, April 14, 2014, until service time at 2:00PM in the Starr Funeral Home Chapel, 510 Starr St., Hemphill, Texas. Burial will follow in the King Cemetery, Milam, Texas.

Copied from Starr Funeral Home online
Also published in The Sabine County Reporter, April 16, 2014, Page 14

Howard married Opal Kellie Ferguson on 26 Oct 1945. Opal (daughter of George Kellie Ferguson and Mattie Martha Wiggins) was born on 30 Aug 1918 in Pineland, Sabine County, Texas; died on 28 Dec 2009 in Mount Pleasant, Titus County, Texas; was buried in King Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
FindAGrave has photos of both a double headstone for Opal, shared with Howard Hank KEESEE, and a military marker for her. Opal and Howard Keesee were married on Oct. 26, 1945. He was born 14 Feb. 1921. Her military marker is embossed with a cross and the following: Opal Ferguson Keesee, Cpl US Army Air Forces, World War II, Aug 30 1918 - Dec 28, 2009.